Anheuser-Busch sues InBev over takeover attempt

By Martinne Geller and Martha Graybow

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Anheuser-Busch BUD.N is suing InBev INTB.BR in an attempt to slow its suitor's efforts to replace the U.S. brewer's board of directors, which rejected InBev's $46.3 billion (23.5 pound) takeover offer.

In the lawsuit, the maker of Budweiser beer cited "an illegal plan and scheme by InBev, through a course of deceptive conduct, to acquire control of Anheuser-Busch at a bargain price."

The lawsuit accused InBev of making "false and misleading statements" regarding financing of its $65-per-share offer for Anheuser and InBev's plans for the combined company, which would be the world's largest brewer, making a quarter of the world's beer.

InBev officials were not available for comment.

Anheuser said in the lawsuit that it was "materially misleading" for InBev to tout its financing as fully committed because any commitments it has received "are certainly rife with conditions," allowing the proposed lenders to walk away.

The suit also questions InBev's claim that it would make Anheuser's hometown of St. Louis the North American headquarters for the combined company, since InBev has a business in Cuba which cannot be managed from the United States.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop InBev from furthering its consent solicitation to replace Anheuser's board until these issues are fixed.

Anheuser filed the lawsuit on Monday in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri, where it is based. The case was brought in federal court because it accuses InBev of violating federal securities laws by allegedly not making proper disclosures about its plans.